Tour Leader’s Blog

Our days in Switzerland went by very quickly. We have had such magnificent weather. In Austria and Switzerland the farmers were very busy making hay. It was interesting to see whole families out in the fields working together. There were several young people dragging a rack, even after the machine went over the field, to pick up the last pieces of grass.

We were pleased to have Marta Frey join her parents for four days of the tour. She met them in Brunnen. Yesterday following our walk to the Anabaptist Cave near Bäretswil, we had lunch at the Reformed Church in Bäretswil. Peter and Kathie and several other persons extended warm hospitality. We enjoyed delicious food and fellowship. Some of our group met these persons when their Swiss choir toured North America in April.

Today in the Emmental we followed the Emme River and marveled at the beautiful valley and the homesteads that many of our ancestors left when moving to America. We saw familiar family names on businesses.

This afternoon our tour ends in Bern. Eight of the our members will fly home; the other 36 persons are having a one-week extension in Switzerland.

~ Wilmer Martin

We arrived in Oberammergau on Wilson Hershey’s 60th birthday. The group teased him that this was a great way to celebrate this milestone: Plan a TourMagination tour to Europe and invite your friends to join you!

We had a wonderful time on the Rhine River cruise and got great photos since the weather was overcast. In Bacharach we explored the Old Town. A number of persons walked up into the vineyard. Rumor has it that Marlene Kilheffer was caught with grapes in her hand. Dave, Greg and Carol were watching, but not stopping her. Wilmer took a photo to witness the apparent theft. Pastor Jean said that this is out of Marlene’s character. Peer pressure caused this action and she should be forgiven.

While Gary Waltner was talking to our group at the Weierhof, Dottie Martin got a fast ride back to our hotel in Alzey to pick up her forgotten camera. She was teased that she just wanted a fast ride on the Autobahn in a German car! Donna Hershey played the organ in the Weierhof meetinghouse (called “House of Prayer”) and we sang a hymn. What a wonderful experience!

In Steinsfurt we climbed the Steinsberg Tower to get a 360-degree view of the beautiful farmland and hofs. This is the region of Germany on the east side of the Rhine called the Kraichgau from where many Lancaster County Mennonites can trace their roots. More than 35 of our 44 persons climbed the tower. Some said if John Ruth can climb the Tower so can I. John’s energy is a great role model!

Today our group is enjoying the Passion Play in Oberammergau. They are also enjoying staying in beautiful Hotel Turmwirt and the delcious Bavarian food. Georg Glas, the hotel owner, said that there are only 47 days left to the end of the play season. He also said, “The villagers are not getting tired of performing or welcoming the world to their village.”

~ Wilmer Martin

Our Wilson Hershey & Friends European Heritage tour is off to a great start. We arrived in Amsterdam yesterday and have already toured a working windmill, observed wooden shoes being made and were surprised to learn that they are still worn as safety shoes in Holland.

At the Alida Hoeve Cheese Shop we enjoyed the interpretation given by the Dutch cheese maid who claimed to be 120 years old since she drinks the healthy whey! Others thought it was because she ate the Dynamite cheese!

At dinner Wilmer was recorded by Matt on video, under the direction of Kenton, going from table to table encouraging persons to eat the delicious Dutch potatoes. They claimed he sampled the potatoes from each table!

Today our 9:00 a.m. visit to the Anne Frank House was sobering. We were surprised that already at 8:45 a.m. there was a long line-up to enter the building. We were glad we had a scheduled appointment. Last year visitors came from 124 countries. It is a sad story but it is healthy that it is remembered and reflected upon daily by so many visitors from around the world.

Gerry Gleysteen welcomed our group to worship at the Singel Mennonite Church. Simon, their seminary student, gave a sermon on God’s Call to Leadership, using the examples of Moses and Jesus. Following coffee and fellowship, we enjoyed lunch and free time on the Kalverstraat.

Our Canal boat ride was very informative. Dennis, the woodworker, was making notes for future projects.

During the tour of the Rijksmuseum, we all enjoyed John Ruth’s helpful interpretation. Jean Eby said she learned a lot. Flo wanted to learn even more and left with three books. Many others bought books and cards.

At dinner tonight it was reported that Kara Mast did not eat her green beans even after her two brothers took her an extra serving. Perhaps Aunt Donna needs to talk to her sister Cindi.

Tomorrow we plan to visit the Aalsmeer Flower Auction and the Delft Pottery Factory before leaving for Germany.

~ Wilmer Martin

We woke this morning in Salzburg and traveled to Dachau for a sobering visit to the concentration camp in outer Munich. Now we are in Nordlingen. We could talk about the sights we’ve seen today, but with only two days left in this trip we’d rather mention how amazing it is to observe the degree of sharing and caring that has developed between tour participants on this trip. Today’s evening meal was no exception, with the rich mixture of heartfelt sharing, much laughter, and thoughtful reflections on this soon-to-be-completed trip. Don, who shared from his life’s story this morning on our bus as we crossed from Austria to Germany, spoke of TourMagination as a family of sorts: a travelling community that brings together people from across the North American continent who share a kinship before they even meet each other. We all agreed. This has been a rich tour, day in and day out, and all this before Oberammergau! We depart for that lovely Bavarian town tomorrow and its world-famous play, and for home the day after that. But if you’re reading this and have not taken a TourMagination tour before, why not now?! And if you’ve taken one, why not another? For surely Don’s experience is one that is repeated time and time again, and in a way that sets this faith-based company apart from the rest.

~ Mary and Len Friesen

What a glorious spectacle of faith the Passion Play in Oberammergau was, set in the midst of the beautiful Bavarian alps. Today we bid “auf wiedersehen” to our group, with the heartfelt hope that we will indeed see each other again, and before too long. We are bound for Munich, safe, sound, and deeply grateful for an amazing travel experience.

~ Mary and Len Friesen